A Solano County Superior Court judge on Friday set a February hearing date in the case of a Vacaville man who suffered a fatal beating during what witnesses said was his attempt to stop a fight on July 4.

Appearing briefly in court was the suspect, Anthony J. Ruiz, 32, who is charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 20-year-old Tyler Grande. Grande was reported to have been at a Garden Street party when a fight broke out. However, as he stepped in, he was punched from behind and knocked to the ground, suffering a traumatic brain injury, according to police.

Police said they found Grande lying unconscious in the street.

Rushed by air ambulance to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento, Grande was taken off of life support 10 days later.

Judge Wendy G. Getty set 10 a.m. on Feb. 4 for a preliminary hearing. Ruiz has pleaded not guilty to the voluntary manslaughter charge, as well as an unrelated charge alleging felony possession of hydrocodone.

He was ordered back to court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 25 for a readiness conference.

Ruiz had been released from custody upon posting $175,000 bond when Vacaville police arrested him in September on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving without a license. He has since pleaded not guilty to the pair of misdemeanors, which trail the felony charges.